Arsenal vs Watford player ratings: Nothing gained, nothing lost

Arsenal%e2%80%98s final match of the season. While his starting XI boasted a lot of what we would have expected to see, what we didn’t expect to see took center stage the minute the starting XI’s were announced.</p> <p>Namely, he scrapped the 3-4-3 altogether. Which is something I don’t think anyone could have expected, given how fervently Arteta has clung to the back three. To ditch it in the last Premier League match of the season had to be some kind of statement that this was what he preferred when the resources were right.</p> <p>While the front three looked pretty predictable, surprise starts from <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a3b03921/Joe-Willock?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Joe Willock</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e3a5814e/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ainsley Maitland-Niles</a> had to be interpreted as statements too. Willock started in a midfield three with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e61b8aee/Granit-Xhaka?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Granit Xhaka</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0617e2b/Dani-Ceballos?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dani Ceballos</a> while Maitland-Niles started as an outright rightback.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="5 Underrated EPL Transfer Targets" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/13/arsenal-5-underrated-epl-transfer/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/13/arsenal-5-underrated-epl-transfer/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> 5 Underrated EPL Transfer Targets </a> </div> </div> <p>Arsenal got out of the gates in a hurry, with Ceballos firing a shot over the crossbar in the 45th second following Dawson clocking <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alexandre Lacazette</a> in the box. A long VAR check ruled it a penalty, giving the Gunners the first chance to turn this match on its head. Aubameyang took that chance, boosting hopes of an unlikely Golden Boot as well.</p> <p>That opened up the game immediately, with the attacks flowing end to end. It was Arsenal that benefited most from that, with the lead expanding to 3-0 after just 34 minutes. And it was all coming from that left flank with Tierney and Aubameyang accounting for literally everything.</p> <p>But leave it to this defense to give Watford one back. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d79a8c87/Rob-Holding?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rob Holding</a> played a truly stupid pass out of his own half that was easily picked off by Watford on way to an awful, desperate tackle from <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0e27d1a/David-Luiz?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">David Luiz</a> to give the Harts a penalty and a goal to Deeney.</p> <p>Troubling times as the next goal fell to Watford as well. David Luiz let Welbeck ghost in behind him and got the Hornets their second. Watford took control there, with Emi Martinez having to keep his side in the match on numerous occasions.</p> <p>Here are the player ratings:</p> <h4>Goalkeeper</h4> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="9.5" data-name="EMI MARTINEZ" data-meta-a="GK" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="&lt;strong&gt;Man of the Match&lt;/strong&gt;. Incredible (and perhaps a bit fortunate) save in the 13th minute to keep the lead. Controlled his position well as always, claiming balls that came too close to him. Read Deeney’s penalty well, just didn’t get down fast enough to make the save. More incredible goalkeeping came just past the hour mark to deny Watford a second. One of the best saves you’ll ever see in the 73rd minute off the Welbeck backheel. It was a fantastic effort from Welbeck alone, but for Martinez to deny him, to predict and read the attempt, is just incredible. Honestly one of the best matches you can play as a keeper."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FMartinez_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3DsLIEeEd3"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">EMI MARTINEZ</h3> <span class="position">GK,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">9.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details"><strong>Man of the Match</strong>. Incredible (and perhaps a bit fortunate) save in the 13th minute to keep the lead. Controlled his position well as always, claiming balls that came too close to him. Read Deeney’s penalty well, just didn’t get down fast enough to make the save. More incredible goalkeeping came just past the hour mark to deny Watford a second. One of the best saves you’ll ever see in the 73rd minute off the Welbeck backheel. It was a fantastic effort from Welbeck alone, but for Martinez to deny him, to predict and read the attempt, is just incredible. Honestly one of the best matches you can play as a keeper.</div> </div> </div> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Centre-Backs </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104033" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-104033" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2002,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259082828.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Rob Holding" width="3200" height="2002" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259082828.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259082828-768x480.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259082828-1440x900.jpeg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Rob Holding (Photo by Neil Hall/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> <h4>Centerbacks</h4> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.2" data-name="ROB HOLDING" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Goal-saving block in the 17th minute when he positioned himself to deny &lt;a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/" https: target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Troy Deeney a headed goal. Excellent aerial work denying Watford on countless set-pieces and crosses. A truly terrible pass in the 41st minute to give Watford their penalty. Similarly questionable as Welbeck ghosted between him and Luiz for the second goal." &gt; <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FHolding_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3DXIaOHApS"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">ROB HOLDING</h3> <span class="position">CB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.2</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Goal-saving block in the 17th minute when he positioned himself to deny <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/82e34b69/Troy-Deeney?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Troy Deeney</a> a headed goal. Excellent aerial work denying Watford on countless set-pieces and crosses. A truly terrible pass in the 41st minute to give Watford their penalty. Similarly questionable as Welbeck ghosted between him and Luiz for the second goal.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.3" data-name="DAVID LUIZ" data-meta-a="CB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Excellent longball to find Aubameyang and spur the move that would open the scoring early following the penalty. You have to dock him for the tackle that gave away the penalty, but it was 90% Holding’s fault for giving the ball away so stupidly. I can’t cut him as much slack for letting Welbeck ghost in behind him for the second Watford goal, though Holding has to hold some of that responsibility as well."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FLuiz_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3DX0mBKPAh"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">DAVID LUIZ</h3> <span class="position">CB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.3</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Excellent longball to find Aubameyang and spur the move that would open the scoring early following the penalty. You have to dock him for the tackle that gave away the penalty, but it was 90% Holding’s fault for giving the ball away so stupidly. I can’t cut him as much slack for letting Welbeck ghost in behind him for the second Watford goal, though Holding has to hold some of that responsibility as well.</div> </div> </div> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fullbacks </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1600" height="1067" class="size-full wp-image-104019" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1227786567.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, &lt;a rel=" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1227786567.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1227786567-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"></p> <h4>Fullbacks</h4> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.6" data-name="AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES" data-meta-a="RB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Did his part really well on the right-hand side, particularly defensively, which has been the question of his usage here. Didn’t need to do much else, as Pepe was staying plenty involved in the attack. As the match played on, Maitland-Niles got more involved in the attack, including tremendous penetration just past the hour mark to nearly nick himself a goal."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FMaitlandNiles_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D17OnUAR0"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES</h3> <span class="position">RB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.6</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Did his part really well on the right-hand side, particularly defensively, which has been the question of his usage here. Didn’t need to do much else, as Pepe was staying plenty involved in the attack. As the match played on, Maitland-Niles got more involved in the attack, including tremendous penetration just past the hour mark to nearly nick himself a goal.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.4" data-name="KIERAN TIERNEY" data-meta-a="LB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Fortunate deflection on the goal, but still credit for taking the shot. Even more credit for that perfect arching throw-in that found Aubameyang for the third goal. It overshadowed what had been a fairly subpar performance before that, but it was all good from those goal contributions, as he settled into his usual remarkable self in the second half."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FTierney_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DmjvpH5MI"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">KIERAN TIERNEY</h3> <span class="position">LB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.4</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Fortunate deflection on the goal, but still credit for taking the shot. Even more credit for that perfect arching throw-in that found Aubameyang for the third goal. It overshadowed what had been a fairly subpar performance before that, but it was all good from those goal contributions, as he settled into his usual remarkable self in the second half.</div> </div> </div> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Central Midfield </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104020" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-104020" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2049,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259040485.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Granit Xhaka" width="3200" height="2049" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259040485.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259040485-768x492.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Granit Xhaka (Photo by <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://fbref.com/en/players/157036f8/Rui-Vieira?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Rui Vieira</a>/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> <h4>Central Midfield</h4> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.8" data-name="GRANIT XHAKA" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Composed as usual. Only had one bad pass that I can recall, otherwise, his distribution was as reliable as we expect from him, if not a little unextraordinary. Had his great, piercing passes as always. Not a bad showing… just unextraordinary."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FXhaka_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3Dxl0qGW_D"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">GRANIT XHAKA</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.8</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Composed as usual. Only had one bad pass that I can recall, otherwise, his distribution was as reliable as we expect from him, if not a little unextraordinary. Had his great, piercing passes as always. Not a bad showing… just unextraordinary.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.0" data-name="DANI CEBALLOS" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Great movement and composure, especially when penned in deep. This has become his baseline performance, really, and it’s such a confirmation that he needs to stay here for at least one more year, if not, like, ten. Nothing extraordinary, at the end of the day, just a lot of positivity and reliability."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FCeballos_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DiOfD8QGx"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">DANI CEBALLOS</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Great movement and composure, especially when penned in deep. This has become his baseline performance, really, and it’s such a confirmation that he needs to stay here for at least one more year, if not, like, ten. Nothing extraordinary, at the end of the day, just a lot of positivity and reliability.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.3" data-name="JOE WILLOCK" data-meta-a="CM" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Always where he needed to be, just not very involved. Had a few highlights of dealing with possession well in building out from the back, but with just 11 touches in the first half, it wasn’t shaping up to be the match he wanted it to be. He got more involved as the second half got underway, but he was taken off before he could make more of it."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FWillock_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3DBAsaSncA"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">JOE WILLOCK</h3> <span class="position">CM,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.3</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Always where he needed to be, just not very involved. Had a few highlights of dealing with possession well in building out from the back, but with just 11 touches in the first half, it wasn’t shaping up to be the match he wanted it to be. He got more involved as the second half got underway, but he was taken off before he could make more of it.</div> </div> </div> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Three </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104017" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-104017" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1029,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259034876.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang" width="1600" height="1029" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259034876.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1259034876-768x494.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> <h4>Front Three</h4> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.4" data-name="NICOLAS PEPE" data-meta-a="RW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Has to learn how to take better control of possession on counter-attacks. That said, his work rate has multiplied. He was defending all the way across the pitch and all the way back where a wingback would normally be. And he did settle into the match pretty well, but failed to fully assert himself."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FPepe_1045x658.jpg%3Fitok%3Dt71xsJoY"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">NICOLAS PEPE</h3> <span class="position">RW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.4</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Has to learn how to take better control of possession on counter-attacks. That said, his work rate has multiplied. He was defending all the way across the pitch and all the way back where a wingback would normally be. And he did settle into the match pretty well, but failed to fully assert himself.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.7" data-name="PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG" data-meta-a="LW" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Cool as ever on the penalty, selfless looking out for Tierney for the second goal. He must have really wanted the Golden Boot because his finish in the 34th minute, a half-bicycle, was simply stunning. This was an inspired performance, you could tell he wanted something out of this match and his involvement rocketed up. Did fade away in the second half and when he did have his big chance, he wasn’t able to take it."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FAubameyang_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DFhDWuQfN"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG</h3> <span class="position">LW,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.7</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Cool as ever on the penalty, selfless looking out for Tierney for the second goal. He must have really wanted the Golden Boot because his finish in the 34th minute, a half-bicycle, was simply stunning. This was an inspired performance, you could tell he wanted something out of this match and his involvement rocketed up. Did fade away in the second half and when he did have his big chance, he wasn’t able to take it.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.5" data-name="ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE" data-meta-a="ST" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Great work getting involved in the attack and promoting positive attacking play. One of the best touches you’ll ever see on a longball just before the half-hour mark, but capitalize on it. He is such a strange blend of soft touches and clunky ones."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FLacazette_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3DrpE-7T4U"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE</h3> <span class="position">ST,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.5</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Great work getting involved in the attack and promoting positive attacking play. One of the best touches you’ll ever see on a longball just before the half-hour mark, but capitalize on it. He is such a strange blend of soft touches and clunky ones.</div> </div> </div> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Substitutes </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_104009" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104036" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-104036" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1202866205.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1202866205.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/07/1202866205-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h4>Substitutes</h4> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="8.0" data-name="EDDIE NKETIAH" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Excellent work getting right into the thick of things from the moment he was introduced. Showed superb strength, agility, and intelligence with and without the ball. incredible move in the 75th minute to spring the two-man breakaway and selfless to pass it to Aubameyang, even though Aubameyang couldn’t take it. Continued to thrive in this attack throughout the match."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FNketiah_1045x658_2.jpg%3Fitok%3DkOo3r6Lw"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">EDDIE NKETIAH</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">8.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Excellent work getting right into the thick of things from the moment he was introduced. Showed superb strength, agility, and intelligence with and without the ball. incredible move in the 75th minute to spring the two-man breakaway and selfless to pass it to Aubameyang, even though Aubameyang couldn’t take it. Continued to thrive in this attack throughout the match.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="6.0" data-name="SEAD KOLASINAC" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Far too many instances of him not closing down his man and it always gave Watford room to put together a dangerous ball into the box. Seemed to catch on though, and began to limit that space."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FKolasinac_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3D6-Z2aoQ4"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">SEAD KOLASINAC</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">6.0</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Far too many instances of him not closing down his man and it always gave Watford room to put together a dangerous ball into the box. Seemed to catch on though, and began to limit that space.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="5.9" data-name="LUCAS TORREIRA" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Questionable defensive work and even more questionable to give away that foul in stoppage time just outside the box. Had his positive moments, but the big negative ones are always more noticeable."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FTorreira_1045x658_1.jpg%3Fitok%3DdYkEQK41"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">LUCAS TORREIRA</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">5.9</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Questionable defensive work and even more questionable to give away that foul in stoppage time just outside the box. Had his positive moments, but the big negative ones are always more noticeable.</div> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Grade" data-grade="7.1" data-name="REISS NELSON" data-meta-a="SUB" data-meta-b="Arsenal" data-inner-content="Good work getting involved and not letting Pepe’s exit hurt. It was a seamless transition. Showcased more excellent attacking play as the match wore on, using the weariness of this Watford defense against them."> <div class="grade remove-native-227"> <div class="grade-header"> <div class="photo"> <img src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_200,h_200,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsenal.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fstyles%2Fplayer_featured_image_1045x658%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2FNelson_1045x658_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DHOswozcm"> </div> <div class="border"> <h3 class="first-name">REISS NELSON</h3> <span class="position">SUB,</span> <span class="team">Arsenal</span> </div> <div class="the-grade"> <h3 class="letter-grade">7.1</h3> </div> </div> <div class="details">Good work getting involved and not letting Pepe’s exit hurt. It was a seamless transition. Showcased more excellent attacking play as the match wore on, using the weariness of this Watford defense against them.</div> </div> </div> <p> </p><!—pageview_candidate—>">